Shanghai irradiator accident, 1980

compiled by Wm. Robert Johnston
last modified 8 October 2008

Date:
September 1980

Location:
Shanghai, P.R. China

Type of event:
irradiator accident

Description:

An accident occurred at an irradiation facility using a 60-kCi cobalt-60 source. The irradiation room had defective entry interlocks and an individual entered the room during a power failure, acquiring a 522-rad dose. The person suffered acute radiation sickness and localized exposure injury.

Consequences:
1 injury.

References:

UNSCEAR, 2000, "Annex E: Occupational radiation exposures," in Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation: United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation UNSCEAR 2000 Report to the General Assembly, with Scientific Annexes, Volume I: Sources, UNSCEAR, on line at UNSCEAR [http://www.unscear.org/docs/reports/annexe.pdf].